More Handles Glossary

Backplate: A plate, usually rectangular, onto which handles and knobs
are attached.

Backset: The measurement between the outer face of the lock/Latch
faceplate to the centre point of the key hole, handle, or knob.

Bathroom Lock: An internal two bolt mortice lock, where the deadbolt is
thumb turn operated.

Bathroom/ Privacy: Door furniture operated by a small knob (snib). This
furniture uses a tubular latch, can show engaged/empty indications, and
operates an external emergency coin release system.

Bolt Hole: Rectangular hole, on a rebate, which fixes to the door
frame, into which the latch or lock tongue slides to secur the door.

Cabinet lock: A term for locks for differing types of smaller furniture
e.g. Cabinets, cupboards, and drawers etc.

Case: The metal part of a lock or latch containing the workings.

Casement Fastener: A locking window system for casement windows.

Casement Stay: A bar used for fixing open a casement window.

Centres: The measurement between the centre point of the key hole and
the spindle hole on a lock.

Cylinder Latch: A lock for an entrance door (Rim or Mortice) which is
opened by a key from outside and by knob from the inside. It can
usually be set with the latch in the permanently open or shut (latched)
position by a catch (hold back) inside the door. The latch has the same
metal tongue as the lock.

Cylinder Pull: The attachment that allows a door to be opened without a
knob or handle when used in conjunction with a cylinder locking system.

Dead Latch: A mortice or rim type latch that locks the door by the use
of a key externally, but can be released internally by a knob or handle.

Deadlock: A lock which is worked, usually by a key bol mechanism, from
both sides and has no latch. Therefore the door knobs only use is to
push/pull.

Deadlocking: A locking mechanism that prevents a latch or bolt being
operated without a key whilst the door is closed.

Euro Profile: European sized metal plated key hole which is widely used
throughout the UK. For use with a cylinder.

Escutcheon/ Key plate: A usually metal plate round a key hole. Can be
covered by a keyhole cover (key drop). There are three main types of
escutcheon: Standard Key, Euro, and Oval.

Follower: A square hole within the latch or lock mechanism through
which the spindle fits (before attachment to the handle or knob). As
the handle/knob is turned, the spindle turns the follower and the latch
is operated.

Forend (inner/outer) or Faceplate: The ‘face’ of the lock/latch. The
part that is visible once the mechanism is sunk (morticed) into the
door.

Hand: Refers to right and left handed opening. For example- a door is
right hand hung if a person opens the door towards themselves with the
hinges on their right. You must ensure that the sloping edge (bevel) of
the latch is also facing to the right.

Latch: A door fastening that uses a bevelled metal tongue, operated by
a door handle or knob and controlled by a spring which engages when the
door is closed, without a key being turned.

Lever: Moveable part within the lock that, once the correct key is
engaged, allows the operation of the system.

Lever Handle: A lever mechanism used to operate a latch or lock system.
There are two types (a) Sprung- Handle returns to the original position
via its own internal mechanism. (b) Unsprung- There is no internal
spring system within the handle and is used with a heavier sprung latch
or lock to compensate.

Mortice: A slot cut into the door to accommodate the lock or latch
system.

Night Latch: A rim or mortice operated locking system that allows key
access from the outside and a small knob (snib) to either lock the
system or hold the latch bolt back.

Pass: Where two or more locks are worked by the same key. When a key
can be used in a lock it is said to ‘pass’, therefore if all locks are
the same then the master key will ‘pass all’.

Rim lock or latch: A ‘metal box’ mechanism fixed to the inside face of
a door (rim) and operated by a rim knob set.

Roller Bolt: A sprung roller bolt system that engages with the door
frame through a spring loaded mechanism. when the door is pushed closed.

Rose: Circular plate onto which door handles and sometimes knobs are
attached.

Sash: A type of window usually operated by ‘push up/ pull down’, and
incorporating a pulley system.

Sash window Lock: A fastening at the meeting point of sash windows.

Snib: Small knob that is usually used with a bathroom privacy system.
Also called a Turn.

Spindle: A square piece of metal that passes through the door,
connecting the handles or knobs together, and so operating the
latch/bolt mechanism by their turning.

Striking Plate: A plate with a rectangular hole that is screwed to the
mortice in a door frame. As the door closes, the latch or lock slides
against it, and holds the door closed by passing into the rectangular
hole.

Thumbturn: A small knob or snib which operates the deadlocking system
within a Bathroom/bedroom lock.

Two-way follower: A mechanism within a lock or latch system that allows
movement to the right and left. Usually used with a knob set.